Heat exchanger tube cleaning element capturing device with offset stop

Abstract

A heat exchanger (1) has a plurality of fluid flow tubes (5) secured adjacent their ends by tube sheets (6, 7). Cleaning elements (18) are adapted to shuttle back and forth in the tubes and are adapted to be captured by elongated slotted baskets (17). A cleaning element retaining device includes inwardly extending pairs of projections (30, 31) integral with the basket and with the respective pairs being offset longitudinally along the basket axis. A cleaning element can be tiltingly manipulated past the pairs of projections for insertion or removal into or out of the basket without substantial damage to the projections.

I claim: 
     
       1. For use in a heat exchanger or the like having a housing containing a plurality of fluid flow tubes, a device comprising: (a) a longitudinally extending elongated basket having an open outer end and with said basket adapted to capture a tube cleaning element propelled through a tube by fluid,   (b) and cleaning element retainer means integral with and disposed adjacent the said open outer end of said basket therewithin for preventing outward escape of a cleaning element from the basket during outward fluid flow through said basket,   (c) said retainer means being adapted for insertion and removal of a cleaning element therethrough and comprising: longitudinally offset inner and outer projection means disposed in axially spaced generally transverse inner and outer planes and with said projection means being positioned so that a cleaning element can be manipulated therepast without substantially distorting said projection means.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 wherein said inner projection means comprises stop means for retaining the cleaning element within said basket. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1 wherein said inner and outer projection means comprise primary and secondary stop means, respectively, for retaining the cleaning element within said basket. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said inner and outer projection means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections with the projections of said inner and outer projection means being, in end view, in generally opposed relationship. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 4 wherein said projections extend generally chordally into said basket. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 4 wherein: (a) said basket includes a central body portion comprising a plurality of alternate fluid flow slots and ribs which terminate at their outer ends in an annular ring,   (b) said projections of said outer projection means extending from the outer portion of said annular ring,   (c) and said projections of said inner projection means extending from the inner portion of said ring.   
     
     
       7. The device of claim 4 wherein said inner and outer projection means comprise primary and secondary stop means, respectively, for retaining the cleaning element within said basket.